Arizona Man Denies Setting Wildfire That Scorched Over 10,000 Acres

The man, identified as Farinacci, denied setting the blaze, according to court records cited by the Associated Press. He previously served about a decade in prison after pleading guilty to manslaughter and aggravated assault in 2012 for fatally shooting his father, Jeffrey Farinacci, during a 2010 argument in Mesa, Arizona. He was released from probation in early 2024. Police had contacted him during two earlier fire investigations in 2025. A witness, Paul Child, 64, told the AP he saw Farinacci acting nervously in brush near where a fire started Saturday and gave police a description that led to his detention.

Farinacci was carrying cigarettes, waterproof matches, and a butane lighter, but was initially released as the cause was undetermined. The causes of the other two fires remain unknown. He was bent over in the brush, acting nervous, Child said.